Living with Meaning: Shift Your Focus Of Attention

On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean near the island of Sumatra triggered one of the worst natural disasters in memory, known around the world as the Asian Tsunami. Walls of water smashed into the coasts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other neighboring countries, taking the lives of some 280,000 people with them. Many of those who were able to cling to life sustained massive bodily injuries and lost family members and their possessions in the swift-moving waves. The Province of Aceh, Indonesia, which was closest to the epicenter of the quake, was the area hit hardest by the monster waves.

By chance, the newly-published, hardcover edition of my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, found its way into the hands of a Jakarta-based professional services firm that was developing a "readiness" program to prepare volunteers to respond quickly and effectively to the vast devastation and suffering that they would encounter in Aceh. This program, I'm both humbled and proud to say, included my book as a training resource, and it enrolled a wide variety of aid organizations, including local government bodies and nongovernmental organizations, such as UNESCO and UNICEF, involved in the relief effort.

The decision to use Prisoners of Our Thoughts was made because of the coping skills it teaches and its focus on the human search for meaning in all situations. The book was viewed as a primer for volunteers to learn how to confront the catastrophe while, at the same time, deal with their own psychological reactions to the trauma. The seven core principles described in the book were viewed as part of the "core competencies" (that is, the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required by the volunteer aid workers participating in this capacity-building program effort.

This practical application of the principles, in and of itself, made the book's publication worthwhile (and, yes, meaningful) to me in ways that I still am unable to describe adequately. This said, I know in my heart and soul that I learned a great deal and grew significantly from the experience, even though I pray that it never happens again and that the survivors, as well as the thousands of volunteer aid workers, continue to heal from the deep wounds that have undoubtedly scarred them, in one way or another, forever.

Of the seven meaning-centered principles that were used in the Province of Aceh after the tsunami, I would like to focus on one, in particular, for the remainder of this post. In my book, it is introduced as Principle 6, "Shift Your Focus of Attention" (for the previous five principles, see my note at the end of this post). Put differently, this principle can be stated in the following way: Deflect your attention from the problem situation to something else and build your coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and change. As you can imagine, this principle was put to frequent use by the volunteer aid workers in Aceh, as it was, albeit unconsciously, by the survivors of the tsunami.

As a case in point, the photo below shows some children playing in what was left of downtown Banda Aceh, the capital city of Aceh Province, shortly after the tsunami. The boat, by the way, is not supposed to be in the street or in front of the hotel! These young boys, now known as members of the "Tsunami Generation" are playing in the street in spite of all of the devastation and anguish around them. Unlike many adult survivors who suffered from a form of "survivor syndrome" (referred to today as "post-traumatic stress disorder") and felt guilty that they had survived the disaster whereas others--such as family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues--had not, these youth display a miraculous level of resiliency and a capacity to "move on" under what can only be described as a horrific, inescapable situation. Indeed, I learned that it was the Acehnese youth, because of their innate ability to find something positive in the face of immense suffering, who became the inspiration and "role models" for their adult peers!

Of course, you don't have to experience a tsunami or other kind of natural disaster (let's not forget Hurricane Katrina) to practice the meaning-centered principle, "Shift Your Focus of Attention." My mentor, Viktor Frankl, who frequently relied upon this logotherapeutic principle--he labeled it dereflection--when he was imprisoned in the Nazi death camps, emphasized that it is also particularly useful when you are faced with a difficult situation or decision to make, be it in your personal life or your work life. The principle of dereflection, Dr. Frankl would say, helps us to ignore those aspects of our life and work that should be ignored. It also helps to turn us away from being self-absorbed with our problems and directs us toward the true meanings that beg to be discovered by us. In effect, dereflection encourages us to perceive something new in a situation so that we may let go of our old perceptions and ways of doing.

"Dereflection can only be attained to the degree to which...awareness is directed toward positive aspects." --Viktor Frankl, The Doctor and the Soul

The current economic crisis, to be sure, is taking its toll on people, not only in the USA but around the world. It is also testing, in no uncertain terms, our resiliency as individuals and as a "people." Although it may at first seem difficult to imagine, the same competencies that helped the volunteer aid workers and survivors in Indonesia after the tsunami can help us on the job and in our personal lives to deal with difficult people, situations, or decisions. We all know complainers. At one time or another, we've all been one. When we get locked into our own complaining shadow (i.e., become "prisoners of our thoughts") and focus on all the bad stuff, we immediately lose sight of the good stuff. When we can learn to "dereflect"--that is, shift our focus of attention--from what is bothering us to a more positive target, we get a different insight into solving the problem or challenge before us.

So, how about you? How resilient are you? Think of a time when you've been able to "dereflect" the reality in your life and see a more positive side to it all. Recall a situation in your work or personal life from which you felt the need to shift your attention in order to deal with it effectively. Consider situations like:
--you were faced with a critical business or family decision
--you were thrust into an emergency situation requiring swift action
--you found yourself in the middle of a personal crisis

Now ponder the following questions:
• How did you shift your focus of attention from the situation to something else?
• What, if anything, did you do as a result of your shift of focus?
• What did you imagine or fantasize?
• What did you learn about your capacity for shifting the focus of your attention?
• Looking back, what did you learn, and how did you grow, from the process?

***

You can find out more about Dr. Alex Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, in his HuffPost Bio and at http://www.prisonersofourthoughts.com. See also his "Dr. Meaning" Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/DrMeaning. You can contact Alex at: [e-mail].

Note: If you missed the first five principles, you may find it helpful to (re)view them and, of course, I welcome your thoughts, questions, and experiences on any topic:

Principle 1: Exercise the freedom to choose your attitude
Principle 2: Realize your will to meaning
Principle 3: Detect the meaning of life's moments
Principle 4: Don't work against yourself
Principle 5: Look at yourself from a distance

And for more about the concept and technique of dereflection, including practical applications, see Chapter 9, "Shift Your Focus of Attention," in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts.

Comments

[Joan Young]

Thank you for the inspirational and insightful article. I am a teacher and it seems that each day a student brings in emotional troubles/worries that I need to help them address before they can begin learning. I have learned that helping them "shift focus" as they begin their day, visualizing leaving their troubles outside the door helps for some. For others, it helps for them to envision a favorite experience. Though I was trained in clinical psychology, looking for ways to "fix" people, I find incredible inspiration in resilience and building on what is "right" in people. Thanks so much for your wonderful article.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Joan, for your very kind comment. Your students are very lucky to have you as their teacher! "Building on what is 'right' in people." You hit the nail on the head!

[Michele Rosenthal]

WHAT a terrific post!

I am a trauma survivor who struggled with undiagnosed chronic/extreme PTSD for 25 years. When I finally received my diagnosis, I worked very hard to heal. I didn't make much progress; the more I focused on healing the more exaggerated my already extreme symptoms became.

And then I made a life-altering decision: instead of pursuing healing I decided to pursue joy. I knew that when I dance I feel invincible and free. So, I decided to dance -- a lot! I began dancing 5-7 nights a week, which meant I felt joy every night, which trickled into the days as I anticipated the evenings.

All of this joy made me relax and (re)focused my attention on the positive aspects I could draw into my present and future rather than the negative aspects I was dragging with me from the past. Also, joy is addictive, so my activities began to constantly center around that happiness.

Soon, the joy high began to give me courage to believe I could heal, which gave me strength to try again, which allowed me to refocus on healing in a more positive, less frantic manner, which eventually led me to where I am today: into my second year of being completely PTSD-free, and loving it!

Now, I write a PTSD healing blog (http://parasitesofthemind.blogspot.com) and am founding a PTSD advocacy organization because after dereflection, the next best thing to continue and reinforce healing is giving back!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

WHAT a terrific comment! Thank you, Michele for sharing your own experience with us and for introducing people to your PTSD healing blog and the meaningful work that you are doing. I also want to underscore the importance of your decision to pursue "joy" as a pathway to healing. And because you used "dance" as a vehicle to travel the path, I hereby confer upon you an honorary "Zorba the Greek" Award! Here's a YouTube link that goes with the award: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzpHvLWFUM&feature=channel_page

[Janice Taylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Alex, Such an important reminder and tool. We have the power to shift our attention and shift our mood, decide which path we'd like to journey on. Imagine ... if we all practiced 'resiliency.' I'm in!

Thank you.
Janice

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Janice, for your comment. You've underscored a very important (and meaningful) point. Ultimately, we decide which path we'd like to journey, even if it simply means our "choice of attitude" toward a situation. And the more that we come to recognize that such decisions are a matter of personal responsibility, the more we build and practice personal "resiliency."

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Alex, This is a special blog.
I actually find it fascinating to shift from a challenging situation to a positive one. Anytime I am faced with an interaction that may have hurt or where I caused something that may have hurt someone and they were not pleased with me I try to look at it from there perspective and how I could have been kinder or more thoughtful of them.
It is very healing and I am able to apologize and it becomes a wonderful learning experience.

Big Love,

Ed

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

And a special comment from a special person! Now, if we all would just practice what you have described, we could/would heal the planet! Thanks, Ed.

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for this post.
I appreciated the opportunity to reflect in a much wider perspective.

It is easy for Americans to call our situation a disaster- being reminded of true disasters and tools for coping couldn't be more timely.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Amen! Thanks, Kari, for your comment. Indeed, it is important to know, especially during difficult times, that there are tools for coping "out there" as well as "in here."

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Nice work! Thanks for your in depth overview. I really appreciate it!

Jason

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello, Jason, I really appreciate your comment, as well as YOUR nice work!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Alex,

Thank you for this great reminder about shifting our focus of attention, and for detailing it so thoroughly.

As a matter of daily training, I aim to keep my focus on the positive, in and around me. I think it may strengthen my immune system! I am keen to get in the habit of focussing on the positive so that it is part of my nature.

When challenges show up, I tend to already be looking for the `'blessings present in the disguise". I also tend to communicate this perspective to others because i love to have an up energy vibe around me.

I appreciate that you have taken Dr Frankl's message more fully into our lives.

With love,
Anne

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

What a great point, Anne! Yes, one of the real benefits of focusing on the positive is that it is good for your health! And, as you point out, by sharing the "blessings present in the disguise" of a situation, you also experience an energy shift around you. In the final analysis, everything we feel, think, and do can be viewed as a form of "energy." By the way, for more on the power and meaning of positive thinking, see my video clip on this topic on my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/DrMeaning

Thanks for your comment! Alex

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Congrats, Alex, on the work you are doing in our world. Your articles, and actions never fail to inspire. As for this week's, yes, it does all get down to perspective, doesn't it?

Blessings,
Cara

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Cara, thank you for your very kind words. Yes, the value and meaning of "perspective" are important lessons here. Here is a definition of a related word, "consciousness," that also applies: "Consciousness is the relationship between the observed and the observer." Even if one is unable to chance the position of the "observed" (more often than not, what we are observing can not be "changed"), we do have the innate capacity to change the position of the "observer," i.e., ourselves, in some way, that is, change our perspective, our point of view. As a result, the relationship between the observed and the observer changes, which also is a "shift of consciousness."

[Glamorosa]

My friend was diagnosed with an illness. My focus shifted to healing and seeing him in radiant health,
He too began to focus his attention on the cure even though he was still in pain. he became very joyful and made his reality focus of "What can I gain from this experience""""""", He is a true spiritual warrior.

Love and light Nathalie

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Nathalie, for sharing this meaning-full experience. Indeed, your friend is a true spiritual warrior--as are you! Blessings, Alex

[Diogenis]

Hello Dr. Alecko! As always, I appreciate the wisdom presented in your article. Sooner or later, we all face traumatic times in our life. Life altering situations. And, as trauma implies a wound, and one that leaves a scar, it is important for us to realize that scars, mental (spiritual), or physical are a result of a healing. We are all challenged to effect change in our life, i.e., what we believe, how we think and live. It is never comfortable for we have to face either defeat or a victory...emerging from the ashes renewed and determined to be masters of our life. We can not view pain as bad, but as a necessary part of our healing process. The scar remains as a reminder of this healing. It is, to me, a mental, physical, and spiritual process. And we are challenged to fine tune this process, ever living in the moment with gratitude and not regret.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Diogenis! You have such a wonderful way with words. I wonder what the world would be like if there was no such thing as a "healing process?"

[NoCents]

I remember learning this technique by myself in a dentist chair while the dentist used the old cable drill for hours.

I would put my mind in a pleasant place, like running throught the woods, feeling the sunshine, smelling the flower, tasting the sweet nector of the fruit.

After that, Yoga self-realization was simple once I was able to open up and seek that perfect knowledge of self travel.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Ain't that the tooth?! I agree that shifting one's focus of attention is a useful technique when one's in a dentist chair! "Self travel." What a great way to express this notion! Thank you for sharing. Alex